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Subcommittee Votes to Continue Funding Disproven Abstinence-Only Programs
June 19, 2008

Washington, DC – The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies today voted to continue funding the Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE)program, an abstinence-only-until-marriage funding stream that supports programs that include inaccurate and misleading information.

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Local Parents and Teens Say "Just Wait" Summit Does Not Address Mississippi's Teen Pregnancy Problem

3rd Highest in US Despite Millions in Federal Ab-Only Money
May 19, 2008

JACKSON – Local parents, teens, and professionals who work with youth say that tomorrow's “Just Wait” Abstinence Summit at the Mississippi Coliseum does not address the state's teen pregnancy problem. Mississippi has accepted millions of federal dollars over the years to support abstinence-only programming...
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Evidence Once Again Shows Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Do Not Work
April 23, 2008

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing today titled "Domestic Abstinence-Only Programs: Assessing the Evidence. "The ACLU applauds Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) for bringing new attention to this deeply troubling policy and the committee’s willingness to examine the public health policy implications of abstinence-only programs. We look forward to the testimony of scientists, clinicians, researchers and youth activists who will report on the failures of abstinence-only education programs.
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ACLU of Arizona Applauds Governor’s Rejection of Abstinence-Only Funds
January 18, 2008

PHOENIX - The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona today applauded Governor Janet Napolitano's decision to reject funding for the state's abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, which have proven ineffective, inaccurate, and gender-biased.
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Report Finds No Evidence to Continue Funding Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
November 07, 2007

WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union today said a new report reviewing the effectiveness of 115 sex education programs provides strong evidence that it is time for the federal government to support comprehensive sex education programs. This report comes at the same time Congress is poised to again increase funding for abstinence-only-until marriage programs.
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ACLU Letters Prompt Government Monitoring of Oregon-based Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program
July 23, 2007

Civil Liberties Group Asks to Review Documents Obtained Through the State's Investigation

SALEM, OR - The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oregon today asked the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) for copies of documents obtained through a state investigation into the possible misuse of taxpayer dollars to promote one faith over others in the abstinence-only-until-marriage program Stop and Think.
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ACLU Applauds Cut to Abstinence-Only Program and Urges Senate to Fund Effective Family Planning
June 21, 2007

WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Senate Appropriations Committee’s decision to cut funding for the Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) program and raise funding for the family planning program Title X. In a markup Tuesday, subcommittee members voted to decrease CBAE by $28 million and increase Title X by $16 million, a move the full committee ratified today.
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ACLU of Louisiana Calls on Governor's Program on Abstinence to Fix Medical Inaccuracies in Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Curriculum
May 31, 2007

NEW ORLEANS - The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana today sent a letter to the Governor's Program on Abstinence (GPA) identifying medically inaccurate information in its abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum. The ACLU called on the GPA to correct the inaccuracies and to review the entire curriculum to ensure that it provides students with accurate unbiased information consistent with Louisiana and federal law.
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ACLU Announces Multi-State Action Calling on Government to Fix Medical Inaccuracies in Federally Funded Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Curricula
May 09, 2007

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a multi-state action calling on the federal government to fix medical inaccuracies in federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula. Eleven ACLU affiliates sent letters to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) alerting the agency to problematic curricula in their states and asking HHS to take steps to remedy the situation.
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Rhode Island Groups Call on Public Schools to Reject Dangerous Sex Education Program
May 07, 2007

RHODE ISLAND - Arguing that it promotes "dangerous medical inaccuracies about pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted diseases" and "sends an inappropriate message to students from non-traditional households," thirteen organizations today called on public high school principals and superintendents in the state to reject use of a questionable federally-funded "abstinence only until marriage" sex education program recently approved by the RI Department of Education. The private program at issue is run by Heritage Rhode Island (HRI). Among the diverse groups signing the letter to school officials were the RI Medical Society, the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the RI Academy of Family Physicians, AIDS Project Rhode Island and Youth Pride.
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ACLU Asks Government to Investigate Evidence of Taxpayer Dollars Funding Religion in Oregon Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program
May 03, 2007

SALEM, Ore. – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oregon today asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) to investigate evidence of misuse of taxpayer dollars to promote one faith over others in an abstinence-only-until-marriage program Stop and Think. The groups threatened to pursue legal action if HHS and DHS fail to take sufficient measures within the month.
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ACLU, Advocates for Youth, and SIECUS Say Government Funded Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Materials Violate Federal Law
April 26, 2007

WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union, Advocates for Youth, and Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) today sent a letter and supporting materials to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) identifying several federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that include medically inaccurate information in violation of federal law. The groups called on HHS to immediately remedy the violations or face a legal challenge from the ACLU.

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Citing New Study Showing that Federally Funded Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Don’t Work, ACLU Calls on Congress to Stop Funding
April 13, 2007

WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union said the long-awaited release of a study showing that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs don't work should end the debate over federal funding for such extreme programs. The study, commissioned by Congress, looked at several federally funded programs and found that teens who participated in these programs were just as likely to have sex as teens who did not participate.
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ACLU Applauds Introduction of Responsible Education About Life Act
March 22, 2007

Washington - The American Civil Liberties Union today thanked Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) for re-introducing the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, a bill designed to ensure that young people receive complete, medically accurate information about reproductive health.
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ACLU of New Mexico Cries Foul Over Rio Rancho Abstinence-Only Sex Education Policy
February 27, 2007

RIO RANCHO, NM - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico raised objections on Tuesday to the participation of Rio Rancho School Board member Kathy Jackson in a January 22 vote not to offer alternatives to the district's abstinence-only sex education curriculum. According to the New Mexico Secretary of State Office website, Jackson currently is a registered lobbyist for Best Choices Educational Services, Inc., the organization that contracts with the district to provide abstinence-only teaching. Jackson's husband and Rio Rancho Mayor Keith Jackson also lobbies for Best Choices.
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ACLU Says Rhode Island Department of Education Failed to Adequately Review Harmful Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Curriculum
December 18, 2006

PROVIDENCE, RI - The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today said the state Department of Education had failed to adequately review a harmful abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum developed by Heritage of Rhode Island before letting it back into the schools. In a five-page letter submitted to the department today, the ACLU urged officials to reconsider the decision, saying that the curriculum raises serious medical accuracy and discrimination concerns.
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Abstinence-Only Sex Education May Endanger Youth in Leesburg, FL, ACLU Says
November 03, 2006

LEESBURG, FL -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today expressed concern over the announcement that the Christian Care Center, a ministry of First Baptist of Leesburg, will use a $2 million federal grant to teach abstinence-only education to teens.
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Advocates for Comprehensive Sex Education Praise Governor's Decision to Reject Federal Funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
October 25, 2006

Federal requirements contradict NJ's comprehensive curriculum

TRENTON, NJ - Advocates for comprehensive sex education praised Governor Corzine's decision today to reject onerous and overly restrictive federal funding to provide abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in New Jersey. The federally designed abstinence-only-until-marriage program violates students' rights, embraces sexist stereotypes, isolates GLBT youth, promulgates religious views and contradicts New Jersey's core curriculum for stress-abstinence comprehensive sex education.
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ACLU Applauds GAO Letter in Support of Medically Accurate Sex Education for Teens
October 19, 2006

WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded a letter issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) stating that federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage programs are bound by federal law to provide medically accurate information about condom effectiveness. The GAO issued the letter yesterday to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which administers abstinence-only-until-marriage grants.
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NARAL and ACLU Say North Carolina Bill is Important First Step to Correct Flawed Sex Ed Law
August 01, 2006

New NARAL-ACLU Report Exposes Dangers of Inaccurate Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Used in NC Schools

Raleigh, NC — On July 26, 2006, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina and the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina said the State Senate's passage of the technical corrections bill, SB 602, to the "Public School Health Curriculum" is an important first step, eliminating some bias against gay and lesbian students and correcting medically inaccurate language regarding HIV transmission. More is needed, however, to ensure teens’ health and safety, the groups said.

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ACLU Hails Rhode Island Department of Education Efforts to Stop the Use of Harmful “Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage” Curriculum in Public Schools
March 22, 2006

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Responding to a complaint filed by the Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union last September, the state’s Department of Education (DOE) issued an advisory to all school districts last week, instructing them to stop using a federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum in the public schools. Today the ACLU hailed the development, arguing that the curriculum had raised serious privacy and discrimination concerns and needed to be stopped.
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ACLU Announces Settlement in Challenge to Government-Funded Religion in the Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program the “Silver Ring Thing”
February 23, 2006

The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a settlement with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a case challenging federal funding of religious activities in a nationwide abstinence-only-until-marriage program, the Silver Ring Thing.
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ACLU Announces Nationwide Action Aimed at Combating Dangerous Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Curricula in the States
September 21, 2005

In a coordinated effort, ACLU affiliates across the country are sending letters to local officials calling for careful scrutiny of health and life-skills curricula.
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ACLU Applauds Federal Government's Decision to Suspend Public Funding of Religion by Nationwide Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program
August 22, 2005

BOSTON - The American Civil Liberties Union and Jenner & Block LLP applauded the federal government's decision today to suspend the flow of taxpayer dollars funding the Silver Ring Thing, a nationwide ministry that uses abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education as a means to bring "unchurched" students to Jesus Christ.
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ACLU Launches Web Site for Reproductive Rights Activists, TakeIssueTakeCharge.org
June 23, 2005

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union launched a Web site today, TakeIssueTakeCharge.org, as part of a national grassroots campaign to protect reproductive freedom.

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ACLU Troubled by Court’s Refusal to Hold Louisiana Governor’s Program on Abstinence in Contempt for Continuing to Preach with Taxpayer Dollars
June 23, 2005

NEW ORLEANS - The American Civil Liberties Union was disconcerted by a Louisiana court’s refusal late yesterday to hold the Governor’s Program on Abstinence in contempt of a 2002 order requiring the state to keep religion out of the taxpayer-funded program.
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In Light of ACLU Lawsuit, the Silver Ring Thing Removes Religious Content from Website
May 19, 2005

NEW YORK -- In response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Jenner & Block LLP against the federal government for funding religious activities in an abstinence-only program, the Silver Ring Thing today substantially altered and removed religious content from its website
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ACLU Challenges Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars to Fund Religion in Nationwide Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program
May 16, 2005

BOSTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union and Jenner & Block LLP today filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s misuse of taxpayer dollars to fund religious activities in the “Silver Ring Thing,” a nationwide ministry program that uses abstinence-only sex education as a means to bring “unchurched” students to Jesus Christ.
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ACLU Asks Court to Stop Louisiana Governor’s Program on Abstinence From Continuing to Preach with Taxpayer Dollars
March 24, 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- In a court hearing today, the American Civil Liberties Union asked a U.S. District Court in Louisiana to find the Governor’s Program on Abstinence in contempt of a 2002 order requiring it to keep religion out of the taxpayer-funded sex education program.
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ACLU Applauds Federal Legislation Supporting Responsible Sexuality Education
February 10, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Saying it would provide states with funding to teach sexuality education that includes information on both abstinence and contraception, the American Civil Liberties Union today hailed the introduction of the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).
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ACLU Asks Court to Hold Louisiana’s Abstinence-Only Program in Contempt, Citing Numerous Violations of 2002 Order
January 20, 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- The American Civil Liberties Union today asked a U.S. District Court in Louisiana to find the Governor’s Program on Abstinence in contempt of a 2002 order requiring it to keep religion out of the taxpayer-funded sex education program.
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ACLU Calls On Lawmakers to Stop Spending Taxpayer Dollars on Dangerous Abstinence-Only Sex Education
December 01, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union today hailed the release of a comprehensive review of curriculums used in federally funded abstinence-only sex education programs, saying that it shows the government should not spend taxpayer dollars on programs that withhold vital life-saving information and mislead teenagers.
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ACLU Asks Louisiana to Remove Religious Content from Abstinence-Only Website, Citing Numerous Violations of 2002 Agreement
November 17, 2004

NEW ORLEANS -- The American Civil Liberties Union today asked Louisiana to remove all religious content from a state-sponsored abstinence-only sex education website, saying the material violates a 2002 legal settlement and court order prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to fund religious activities in the Governor’s Program on Abstinence. The ACLU promised further legal action if the offending material is not taken down within 30 days.
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NYCLU Criticizes Ban on Condom Demonstrations in Sex Education Classes in New York
August 27, 2004

NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today praised the New York City Department of Education for revising the sex education curriculum but criticized its refusal to include recommended condom demonstrations in a new curriculum.
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ACLU Announces Settlement in Case Against Taxpayer Financing of Religion in Louisiana Abstinence-Only Programs
November 13, 2002

NEW ORLEANS -- The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a settlement with the Louisiana governor’s office in a case challenging the use of taxpayer dollars to fund religious activities in the Governor’s Program on Abstinence.
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ACLU Tells Congress to "Get Real" About Sex Ed: New Advertisement Highlights Dangers of Federal "Abstinence-Only" Programs
September 06, 2002

NEW YORK -- Saying that young people need honest and accurate information to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, a new advertisement by the American Civil Liberties Union and Advocates for Youth tells Congress to stop preventing teens from getting the facts about sex.
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ACLU Hails Federal Court’s Decision to Halt Taxpayer Financing of Religion in Abstinence-Only Programs
July 25, 2002

NEW ORLEANS -- Citing misuse of taxpayer dollars, a federal district court today blocked the state of Louisiana from funding religious activities in the Governor’s Program on Abstinence.
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ACLU Asks Court to Stop Taxpayer Financing of Religion in Abstinence-Only Programs
May 09, 2002

NEW ORLEANS -- Charging abuse of tax dollars to fund programs that preach religion in abstinence-only education, the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit here in federal court against Louisiana public officials.
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ACLU Says Abstinence-Only Education Endangers Adolescent Health, Urges Congress to Make Available Other Valuable Information
April 23, 2002

WASHINGTON -- While acknowledging that discussions about abstinence can be valuable in any sexuality education program, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged Congress to oppose federal funding for programs that focus exclusively on teaching abstinence and which censor other valuable and often life-saving information for teens.
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ACLU Helps Launch Campaign to Oppose Government Censorship of Sexuality Education
June 12, 2001

WASHINGTON -- Joining with 34 other prominent national organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union today said that abstinence-only sexuality education dangerously limits students' access to information about human sexuality and results in widespread government-sponsored censorship.

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Survey Finds Parents Favor Sex Education
October 03, 2000

WASHINGTON -- A recent survey suggests that the overwhelming majority of parents want schools to provide more sex education to their teenagers, the New York Times reported.
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Take Issue, Take Charge Today
We all want healthy families and teens, but what can we do to help foster these goals in our communities? For starters we can ensure that teens have the education they need to make responsible choices when it comes to sex. We can teach them about the benefits of abstinence while making sure that they have the information and tools they need to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases if they do start having sex. Together we can Take Issue, Take Charge!

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